South Park Neighborhood Association

SPNA Meeting Minutes 1-7-2008

Quincie Douglas Neighborhood Center

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by co-chair Maggie Gerring. Introductions were made and the dues basket passed. The minutes of the November 5 meeting were read and approved.

Officer Lapedus reported for TPD that several drug-related warrants have been issued and arrests made. They are working on cleaning up Mirasol Park. Residents were asked to call 911 if they see suspicious activity. There were problems with gunshots on New Year's Eve. Bullets can ricochet or fall from the air and cause injury; call TPD if you hear gunshots. Officer Maiza reported serious crimes were down in December: No homicide or rape, 1 robbery, 5 aggravated assaults, 3 burglaries, 4 sex offenses, 9 criminal damages, and several calls for public assistance.

Lori Block from Coalition for the Homeless and Jill Rich from Red Cross were present to discuss Operation Deep Freeze. Through the end of March homeless persons are being sheltered at the National Guard Armory on Silverlake Rd. when the temperature drops below 35 degrees (or 40 if it rains). Individuals must go to the Salvation Army Hospitality House to enter the program then they are transported by bus to and from the armory; no walk-ins are accepted.

Maggie Gerring reported that free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) will be available at Quincie Douglas Library. The program is open to everyone and will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m. beginning January 29.

Update on the Bridges Project: work will begin on the flood control about Feb. 1 and start downstream with an underground drain pipe. Grading of the property should begin in mid/late March, to be complete by July 1. Landscaping and trails will follow. The shopping complex is close to finalizing lease plans with the major anchors then the development plan can go to the city for review. Utility work could begin this summer with construction beginning once the plan is approved in late 2008. Grand openings will be in 2010. UA is in the final stages of negotiating for the hotel in their section. Due to the slow housing market no residential construction will begin for a while. The Design Review Committee will meet in late January or early February.

Maggie Gerring is representing SPNA on the Allen Hall BRAC committee. Proposals have been submitted by the Coalition for the Homeless, COT Emergency Management, COT Parks and Recreation, and Pima Community College. There will be several public meetings coming up where residents will have the opportunity to learn about the proposed uses, ask questions and comment.

SPNA's petition to name the walking path in Silverlake Park after Louis Padilla will be considered by the City Council on January 8. It is expected to pass without opposition.

Attention was called to a list of announcements printed on the agenda, particularly the community dialogue on prisoners re-entering the neighborhood to be held on January 26, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Quincie Douglas Center. Residents decided to have pizza at the next meeting on Feb. 4. Pat Garcia won the door prize drawing. The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.